Rotary engine



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

D. L. CROSS. Rotary Engine.

No. 231,281. Patented Aug. 17,1880.

INVENTUR ATTORNEY %WITNES ES N-PETERS, FHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASKNGTON. D C- (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

D. L. GROSS. Rotary Engine. No. 231,281. Patented Aug. 17,1880.

WITHESSE LE l N VENTO fi ATTORNEY IL PETERS, PHOTO'LITHOGRAPHEB, WASflINGl'ON. D O

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID L. GROSS, OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.

ROTARY ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 231,281, dated August 17, 1880.

Application filed J one 9, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID L. GROSS, aeitizen of the United States, residing at Austin, in the county of Travis and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section. Fig. 3 is a partial vertical lateral sectional view. Fig. 4 is a view of the rotary valve; and Figs. 5, 6, 7, and S are views showing details of construction.

The nature of my invention relates to rotary steam-engines; and it consists in the features of construction and combination hereinafter fully set forth.

In the drawings, A designates the shaft, which is keyed to the wheel B". The rim of this wheel is enlarged so as to provide for the two circumferential grooves or channels 0, and it is formed with the radial recesses 11, into. which the pistons D are fitted.

The wheel and pistons rotate within a cylindrical seat or casing, E, which is formed with or secured to a suitable base, E.

Secured to the casing or seat E are two annular casings, F, one on each side of the wheel, whereby the pistons are held against lateral displacement.

G designates the abutments, and in order to provide for the travel of the pistons in an eccentric path, so as to clear the said abutments, I form the pistons with notches H, which receive an eccentric cam, I. This cam consists of a metal band, and it is connected by bolts with the angledates K, which are in turn adjnstably secured to the annular side casings, F, by,set-screws f, passed through sl'ots f in the said plates.

L represents the steam chest, which is formed with the usual passages M for the steam to pass from the chest to that groove or channel of the wheel which is nearest the chest, so as to act upon the pistons, as is usual in rotary engines.

N refers to a rotary valve for cutting off or admitting steam to the steanrchest; and 0 designates the valve shaft or spindle, which is operated by a handle, I.

It is the exhaust-port in the seat or casing E. This seat or casing is formed with the four ports S in pairs on opposite sides thereof, so that after the steam has acted upon the first set of pistons it will pass out one port, and thence into the channel into which the next set of pistons project, through the next port, plates T, with channels U, being screwed onto the casing E, so as to conduct the steam from one port to the other. It is, of course, understood by those familiar with rotary engines that but one pair of these ports are in use at a time, and that one pair is for the forward movement. and the other for the reversal of the engine.

The rotary valve is arranged so that when the handle is in a vertical position steam will be cut off from the engine. When it is turned down one way steam will be let on for the forward movement. and when the handle is turned down the other way steam will be admitted so as to reverse the engine. Each set of pistons has a like construction and arrangement. and the two springs which are employed are connected to angle-plates in a similar manner.

What I claim is- 1. In a rotary engine, the combination of the notched pistons l) w-ith'the adjustable cam I, secured to the angle-plates K, said plates being adjustably secured to the side casing of the engine, substantially as specified.

2. In a rotary engine, the combination of the wheel B, having two circmnferential channels, U, and radial recesses I), with the notched pistons D, fitted in the radial recesses of the wheel, and the adjustable cum I, connected with the side casings and littedinto the notches of the pistons, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID I1. GROSS. Witnesses l). E. THOMAS, J AS. WAIIRENBERGER. 

